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 It’s another great day at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and School!
Gary consistently used this greeting with those he met.

Since 1997, there has been one constant face on the St. Luke’s staff.  That is Gary Hickey.  Hired by Pastor Rossow when there was a staff of about 35, two worship services and a school of 350 students, he has been a part of growing this campus to 140 staff members, seven worship services and 860 students.

1997:

  • Pastors: 1
  • Worship Services: 2
  • Church attendance:945
  • Members: 2195
  • School Enrollment: 370
  • Buildings: 74,000 sf

2026:

  • Pastors: 4
  • Worship Services: 7
  • Church attendance: 1273
  • Members: 4495
  • School Enrollment: 862
  • Buildings: 164,000 sf

Gary was not just an employee. He and his family (wife Sheryl, sons Gary Jr and Aaron) are members of St. Luke’s.  From school to youth activities to potlucks and Bible studies and more… they were here to share the Gospel with others.  Sheryl worked at the school.  Both of his sons left here to attend Concordia University in Mequon WI.  Gary Jr is a Lutheran School teacher.  Aaron is an LCMS pastor.  

Here are a few thoughts from others who worked with Gary:

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I so appreciate all the hard work Gary has done for both the church and school. His dedication and faithful presence is beyond expectation and admirable. I appreciated how he responded quickly to my call for help when a student got “sick” and cleaned up….not a luxurious  job for sure at times!! I wish my friend, Gary, God’s richest blessing throughout his retirement years!!! 

Blessings,

Marlene T

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I was involved in a situation with Gary several years ago when I was still teaching. At that time I taught Music to the K classes. I wrote a musical play about the donkey that Mary rode on the way to Bethlehem and I entitled it The Friendly Beast. When it came time to perform it, I ordered a bale of straw from Lukas and the K teachers and I scattered the straw at the front of the sanctuary. When the performance was finished, we left the straw for the Maintenance to take care of. Boy, did I hear it from Gary. He got very upset. I had never seen this side of dear ole Gary.  He probably does not even remember this. 

We are all truly going to miss him. He has done a marvelous job of keeping our buildings and grounds in immaculate shape.

We all wish him and Sheryl a very happy retirement!

Our love and blessings,

MaryAnn M

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My Tribute to Gary Hickey

Thanks to Gary for being the only person I know who can hang a 20 ft. Ascension Banner so that it rolls down from the center of the balcony railing while everyone has their eyes ascending on the message.

Thanks to Gary for being the first one on campus to make sure the entire St. Luke’s is ready  for the events of the day.  I treasure his 6 am help to unroll the covering for the Founders Hall gym floor for our annual Wednesday Seder meal and then his help in cleaning the room after the meal which included mopping the floor.

Thanks to Gary for supervising a large work crew to take care of the maintenance needs which covered projects like From Everywhere to Bethlehem, Tournaments, Easter Vigil campfires, Concert Series Prep and Parking, Music Festivals, Easter Sunrise Services in the Cemetery, Fixing the flooded carpeting in the altar area after hurricane floods, Cleaning and Painting the School and Vicarage before the next school year, and Dealing with security on campus.

Thanks to Gary for using his God-given talents to further the ministry to “Go and Make Disciples”.  His humbleness and willingness to ‘go the extra mile’ inspired many staff and members.

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Gary, it was a real pleasure and honor to be a coworker with you in carrying out the mission of St. Luke’s.

May God bless you and Sheryl with new adventures of service and the enjoyment of traveling to be with your family.

God blessed St. Luke’s with your maintenance talents and gifts. For this I am truly thankful!

In Christ,

Ruth W

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My thoughts about Gary

  • Never ask him to do a project  for you because he will have it done before you can change your mind
  • He will complete anything you ask him to do and it will be done better than you pictured it in your mind
  • Once summer break begins, move out of his way so things can start and be completed on time.
  • Christmas decorations always were a collaboration. Bring some new items and he will figure a way to use them, hang them, or display them. He always was there to help
  • He taught me how to make the cafeteria coffee machines work and then we raced to see who got them started each morning
  • The runs to Sam’s for supplies was a huge undertaking but he always made it look easy
  • Our campus is a reflection of his love for the ministry that happens on our church and school

Blessings,

Susan H

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Gary Hickey is a disciple of Jesus Christ.  We thank the Lord for you!  The Lord bless and keep you all your days!

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